O 


LIBRARY  EFFICIENCY  TEST 


ARRANGED  BY 

JULIA  A.  ROBINSON 

SFXMETARr  IOWA  LIBRARY  COMMISSION 


AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 
CHICAGO 

19  2  0 


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LIBRARY  EFFICIENCY  TEST 


INTRODUCTION 


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The  test  here  offered  is  not  intended  as  a  questionnaire  for  reply  and  return  to  the 
State  Library  Commissfon,  but  is  suggested  as  a  method  by  which  a  library  board  may 
be  able  to  examine  its  library  and  reach  some  conclusion  as  to  whether  it  is  paying 
sufficient  dividends  upon  the  investment  made  'by  the  donors  of  the  building  and  the 
taxpayers  who  are  supporting  it. 

The  value  of  this  test  will  depend  upon  the  amount  of  information  possessed  by 
the  library  board  on  library  buildings,  library  administration  and  library  matters  in 
general,  and  can  be  used  to  best  advantage  in  conferenjce  with  a  librarian  conversant 
with  these  subjects. 

Where  figures  are  not  called  for,  it  is  suggested  that  a  check  mark  (V)  be  used 
for  an  affirmative  answer,  a  cross  (  +  )  for  a  negative  and  a  ( — )  for  a  question  which 
does  not  apply,  leaving  blank  those  which  arc  not  understood  and  can  perhaps  be 
filled  later. 

The  measure  of  the  efficiency  of  any  library  must  be  the  measure  of  its  usefulness, 
all  else  being  plant  and  machinery  and  operators  contributing  to  that  end.  Much  of 
the  usefulness  of  a  library  cannot  be  measured  in  figures  but  circulation  is  generally 
taken  as  the  best  method  of  showing  the  use  of  a  library. 

By  it  the  increase  or  decrease  in  the  books  leaving  the  library  can  be  shown  as 
woll  as  the  per  capita  of  books  read  by  the  population  of  the  town.  The  latter  furnishes 
a  means  of  comparison  between  libraries,  but  this  comparison  is  only  useful  for  towns 
of  the  same  size,  as  the  per  capita  increases  with  a  decrease  in  the  size  of  a  town. 
The  same  is  true  of  the  per  capita  income  and  the  volumes  per  capita  in  the  book 
collection.  At  the  end  is  printed  a  "Summary"  which  has  been  found  useful  when 
there  was  not  time  for  the  full  test. 

JULIA  A.   ROBINSON. 


LIBRARY  EFFICIENCY  TEST 


EFFICIENCY 

Community Population Nature   of   Population- 

Circulation  of  library:    19 ,  ,  19 Increase 

Decrease 

Per  capita  of  population.'. Per  book Fiction  per  cent 

Comparison  with  towns  in  state  of  same  size _ 

Borrowers :    19 ,  _ ,  19 ,  Increase 

When  was  last  re-registration  of  borrowers  made „ 

Any  classes  of  population  not  using  library 

Any  part  of  town  not  covered 

Reference  work:  Women's  clubs Schools Men — ..  General- 
Increase  ~ Decrease  


■Children's  work: 

Circulation:     19 ,  ,  19 ,  Increase Decrease.. 

Borrowers:     19 ,  ,  19 ,  Increase Decrease.. 

Per  cent  of  school  children  using  library 

School  work: 

Co-operation   with   teachers 

School    work _ 

Recreational  reading „ 

School  credits  for  reading  from  library ;.._^ 

Instruction  in  use  of  library 

School  library _ Owned  and  operated  by  school _ _ 

By  library  board In  co-operation 

Teachers'  privileges  in  use  of  library , 


Story  Hour: 

Timc_ By  whom Attendance 

In  library _ - -In  schools 

Miscellaneous    subjects Connected _ ....Correlated  with  school  work.. 


Use  of  library  as  a  community  social  center: 
Use  of  rooms  in  library  building: 

Meetings  by  organizations^ How   many 

Meetings  arranged  by  library ■ ~~.:Tt^"rv%" — 

Ijjctures _ Musical  entertainments „ _ 

Club   meetings „ „ Reading  aloud  in  library 

Reception  to  teachers J^or  foreigners 

Exhibits — _ .^ •;-;•; ■~—t: ";— — t 

Community    activities .._ _., •- •— r- 

Knowledge  and  standing  of  the  library  in  the  community 


4•>ry.;^^^ 


PLANT,  MACHINERY,  AND  OPERATORS 


BUILDING 
No  library  building: 

Rented  rooms Rooms  in  city  or  county  building 

Adequate  Satisfactory 

Prospects  for  a  building 

Efforts  being  made  to  secure 

When ; Gift   of   whom Tax 

Combination  with  community  house Has  it  been  suggested  or  considered.. 


Separate  building: 

Date  of  erection „ Source  of  building  fund : :.... 

Carnegie  Corporation Other  donor Tax 

Planning:    Did  secretary  of  the  State  Library  Commission  see  plans  before  erection? _ 

Main  floor: 

Reading  room  Children's  room  

Undivided  Stacks Partitions 

Librarian's  room — Partitions Shelving None 

Allowing  supervision  of  library 

Shelving  for  'books Closet  for  supplies 

Lavatory Clothes  hooks Door    and    lock 

Vestibule:    Size Use „ 

Stairways  to  basement:    Well  placed How  maniy 

Basement:    How  many  entrances 

Auditorium Furnished By  whom Use 

Store  room  for  books  and  magazines For  janitor .»... 

Furnace  and  boiler  room r Toilets Open Locked 

Other   rooms Use 

^  Ventilation  and  heat Satisfactory 

Desirable  improvements ^ 


Furniture : 

Loan  desk Give  entire  supervision , 

Card  drawers Proper  shape  and  dimensions , 

Money  drawer Lock Work  shelf Book  space 

Seat Space  for  its  comfortable  use. 

Defects 

Can  they  be  remedied 

Tables  and  chairs Low  table  and  chairs 

Enough Too  many , 

Floors:    Covered  entirely Partially 

Cork  carpet Well  laid Well  cared  for 

Shelving:   Adequate Over  7  feet  high Room  for  expansion _ 

Too    deep Shelves  adjustable 

Wall....„ : Floor  stacks 

Windows:   High Low Lock Shades Screens.. 

How   open Storm  windows 

Roof:  Leak Repaired Satisfactory 

Lighting Adequate 

Indirect Semi-indirect  

Switches „ „ _ „ Where ,„,:,:::„.,.■,...„,.„„„ One  at  door 


f 


Ventilation:    Any  provision  for - Satisfactory 

Heat:    Kind Satisfactory ^„ 

Not  sufijcient Cause _ Can  it  be  remedied.. 

Windows  admit  drafts - Storm  windows 


Equipment : 

Magazine  rack — Make Satisfactory 

Catalog  cabinet:  Sufficient  for  needs _ Provision  for  expansion 

Dictionary   rack — „, ». _ _ 

Book  display  case Bulletin  board  adult Children.. 

Newspaper  rack Shelf  labels,  directions,  etc 


Walls: 

Decoration Fresh Harmonious Needed. 

Reflect  or  absorb  light- „ - „ '. 


Miscellaneous : 

Pictures  Source Too  many Artistic. 

Plants  and  flowers Cared  for_ „ 

Fund  for  purchase Clock _ _ 

Telephone:    Donated Paid  for Use Where  located 


Condition  of  building  and  furnishings: 

Good  repair. „ Needing   repair Orderly Neat.. 

Floor  clean „ .' How  often  cleaned By  whom 

Shelyes,  tables  and  chairs  dusted By  whom 

Books  even  and  upright  on  shelves Book  supports  used 

Books  and  magazines  in  order Windows  clean Curtains   even 

Librarian's  desk  orderly  on  top  and  underneath 

Vestibule  and  steps  swept  and  clean Glass  in  doors  clean 

Signs:    On  building Elsewhere 


Outside: 

In  summer: 

Lawn   well  kept Grass   cut _ .^ No  weeds 

Shade  trees Shrubbery Vines Flowers.. 

All  well   cared   for By  whom 

All  the  year: 

Walks  and  steps  clean _ _ 


BOOK  COLLECTION 

Size:    Number  of  volumes Volumes  per  capita  of  population 

Vols,  added  in  19 , Vols,  withdrawn  in  19 ,  

Missing „ _ Lost_ _ _ Where ....: „ Worn 

Vols,  rebound  19. , _ _ _ Vols,  repaired  in  library 

Inventory:   When  last  tdken How  often  taken 

Suitability:   All  useful _ _ _ Large  amount  of  dead  wood 

In  beginning:    New  books.- _ Donations 

Old  or  poor  editions-- „ „ Out  of  date Useless  titles.. 

Any  classes  weak Any  classes  overbalanced 

Fiction :    Well  selected ....Standards  in  good  editioiis „.... 

Recent  fiction- - Better  class 

Large  per  cent  of  light  weight 


Non-fiction:    Well  selected Attractive  editions 

Popular  presentations„ Scholarly  presentations 

Authoritative:     Accurate All  phases _ , 

Fill  needs  of  community- 

Public   documents:    Too   many Taking  needed  space Enough- 
Reference  books:    Up-to-date .'. Filling  needs 

Juvenile:   Reference Picture Easy Table 

Restricted What  is  done  about  such  books 

Foreign  books Called  for 


Condition : 

Generally  good Many   badly   worn 

How  many  should  be  withdrawn Repaired ' Rebound 

Replaced _ Continued  in  circulation 

Selection:     By   whom: — Librarian Book  committee , 

Librarian  and  Book  Committee ^ ; 

Sources: 

Lists  used 

Is  Booklist  used Are  wants  of  community  consulted 

How  known _ 

Mistakes  often  made How  remedied- 

Does  library  own  U.  S.  Catalogue _._ 

Subscribe  for  Cumulative  Book  I ndex 

Selections  made  to  suit  bookish  trustees ^ 

How  is  list  made  up _ ;. 

Popular   copyrights    used Care   in    selection   of   editions 

Proportion  of  fiction Recent  fiction Non-fiction 

Adult  books Children's  books 

Use  made  of  the  Library  Commission:  In  borrowing  books 

For  book  lists Advice  in  book  selection 

Purchase :    How  often From  whom :   local   dealer 

Large  dealer Other  sources Ageat ." 

Rent   collection:    No.  of  volumes Source  of  fund 

Does  it  duplicate  general  collection — Use Time 

Periodicals:    No.  subscribed  for No.  donated 

No.  bound Binding  more  than  needed  for  reference  work 

Subscribe  for  too  many  women's  magazines Men's _ 

Story Current  events Literary , Educational.. 

Technical Children's 

Do  they  circulate 

Library  periodical  taken .A.Xf-T-i*-- 

Read  by  librarian By  trustees 

Publication  of  State  Library  Commission  read  by  librariar, 

By    trustees Preserved Bound 

Referred   to _ 

Reader's  Guide  subscribed  for Donated Used 

Newspapers: 

No.  town  papers  kept How 

Pamphlets: 

How   cared   for How  much  used 


LOCAL  HISTORY  MATERIAL 

Any   collection   being  made 

Co-operation  with  County  Historical  Society , 


FINANCES 
Income: 

Amount  from  city  tax — Levy Per  capita  pop 

Amount  from  Rural  Extension No.  oi  townships - Levy  each. 

From  other  sources — Total  income _ 

Increase  in  19 „ __ Decrease Why.„ _ „ 

Has  income  increased  with  growth  of  library  work 

With  increase  for  other  city  departments _ 

Does  the  making  of  the  levy  receive  the  attention  of  board 

Are  Carnegie  conditions  met  (if  Carnegie  building) 

Petty  cash- How   handled How  used 

Is  any  fund  at  librarian's  disposal ~ ~ 


Expenditures: 

Total  for  19 ,  

Balance Large  enough  to  be  a  menace 

Budget  used 

Heat:    Amount  $ ^ Per  cent  of  total 

Hot   water Steam Hot  air Stoves- 
Plant   adequate Well   run 

-  Costing  too  much 

Could  it  be  reduced  by  change  in  furnace 

Could  it  be  reduced  by  change  in  building 

Could  it  be  reduced  by  change  in  janitor 


Light:    Amount  $ per  cent  of  total 

Costing    too   much Could  it  be  reduced  by  change  in  fixtures.. 


Do  walls  and  window  shades  reflect  light or   absorb 

Repairs  and  improvements:    Amount  $ -Per  cent  of  total 

Needed Being    made 

Printing :   Amount  $ Per  cent  of  total 

What ..Pay  too  much „ „.... 

Supplies :   Amount  $ _ Per  cent  of  total 

Enough  purchased  for  needs  of  library „ _ 

Insurance:    Being  kept  up - Does  ii  take  into  account  increase  in  values 

Books :    Amount   $ Per  cent  of  total 

Using  best  dealer Getting  best  prices 

Does  amount  expended  for  books  replace  loss  from   wear  of  circulation 

Arc  rcenforced  bindings  bought ^. 

Binding:     Amount   % Per  cent  of  total 

Rcbinding  books Periodicals 

By  whom  done Well  done.. 

Doing  enough Too  much 

Periodicals:    List  too  large Use   agents 

Salaries :   Total  $ Per  cent  of  income 


How  do  salaries  compare  with  other  libraries  of  same  size  .. 
How  do  they  compare  with  teachers'  salaries  in  your  town 
Librarian:  $ 


Assistants:.  H;^''i(^"^'"^''^" ''' 

Children's   Librarian  $ 

Cataloger  $ 

Reference  Librarian  $ 

Branch  Librarian  $ 

Assistant    $ 

Assistant    $ 

Assistant    $ 

Assistant    $ 

Janitor   $ 


EXTENSION 

Outside  agencies:    Branches Stations 

School  deposits Co-operation   on   part   of  school 

In  charge  of  school  people Of   library   assistants Jl. 

Rural    extension No.    of   townships Could  more  be  secured.. 

Has  any  attempt  been  made  to  secure  them 

Would  they  not  add  to  income  of  library Would  they  not  extend  its  usefulness 

No.  of  country  borrowers Charge Encouraged 

Use  of  library  by  country  pupils  in  town   schools 

Factory  work _ 


ORGANIZATION 

Loan  system :    Pockets Book  cards lieaders'  cards 

Application  cards , Guarantor   required :.Why 

Borrowers'  record Form 

Re-registration:    How  often Method 

Dating  slips  used Blank..., Printed 

No.  of  volumes  loaned  on  one  card:    Fiction * Non-fiction 4... 

Fines  per  day Notices  sent _ How    often 

Penalty    How  is  fund  used 

Seven-day  books Renewed 

Reserve  books:    Fiction Non-fiction Telephone Post  Card.. 


Records: 

Ascession  book By  whom  begun 

Withdrawal   book By  whom  begun 

Shelf  list By  whom  begun 

Kept  up 

Catalog , By  whom  begun 

Kept  up 

Library  classified  according  to  D.  C By  whom 

Ownership  stamp:    Kind 

Book   labels:    Fiction Non-fiction 

White  ink Denison 

Correspondence  receive  attention How    filed 

Too  much  red  tape Too  little Records  kept  up.. 


Has  annual  report  for  19 been  sent: 

To  City  Council „ _ 

To  Library  Commission .„™....L.; 

Filed  in  library _. 

If  not,  why  not 

Daily  report  kept  by  classes Why  _ 

Are  Commission  report  blanks  used - 

Has  library  had  assistance  of  a  Commission  organizer Who 

When Are  her  services  needed  again 

Does  library  own  a  typewriter _ Make _ New.. 


HOURS  OF  OPENING 

What  week  days Hours:   Mornings Afternoons Evenings.. 

Librarian  always  in  charge _ Assistant 

Could  hours  be  shortened  without  loss  to  the  community...* 

Could  they  be  lengthened  and  increase  usefulness  of  library 

Sunday Who    in  charge 

Holidays 

Is  there  any  difficulty  with  discipline 


PUBLICITY 

Use  of  newspapers „ Other  printed  matter 

Bulletin   boards:    Outside.- Inside 

Display  in  stores „ Store  windows Exhibits 

Other  methods „ Lantern   slides,  "movies" 

Signs:    Where _ Well  placed More  needed.. 

Cards    in    hotels,    etc - _ _ 

TRUSTEES 

Number- Interested Informed  on  library  work 

Visit  library   frequently „ _ Use    library 

Visit  other  libraries -Read  library  literature 

Attend  library  meetings:    State- District „ 

Expenses  paid  to  meetings - .i. 

Organized  under  By-laws  suggested  for  public  libraries 

Work  done  by  all „ By  few By  Committees 

Board  meetings  held  regularly - _ Attendance 

Attended  by  librarian Is  she  expected 

Librarian  secretary  of  board 

Reports  called  for  from  Committees From    librarian 

Elections  held  annually Committees  appointed  annually 

Part  of  board  in  management  of  library Part   of  librarian 


STAFF 
Librarian: 

Experience Length  of  service 

Preparation : 

General  education High  School College Other- 
Library  School  training: 

Regular   Library   School „ - What _ - 

Summer  School  course What „..._;... _ 

General  Information Knowledge  of  books ; i 

Reading:  Professional Personal _ .*. 

Comparison  with  teachers „ _ _ 

Other  previous  occupation  or  preparation- _ _ _ 


Personality:  *~ 

Pleasing _ Good    mixer Meet   people  well Dignified 

Desire  to  serve Cordial High  ideals Industrious 

Energetic Alert Original Forceful Tactful- 
Disciplinarian Conscientious Progressive Neat 

Publicity    instinct Interested- Systematic 

Businesslike 

Health :: 

Weak  points ,. Strong  points - 

Attitude:    Toward  board - Toward  public 

Toward  work Toward  assistants 

Relations  to  janitor:    Harmonious Friction Cause 

Relations  with  staff:    Harmonious Friction Cause 

Attention  to  building:    Orderly Disorderly Neat 

Fart  in  community  life Outside  interests 

Young Middle-aged Married Physical   handicaps 

Employed   for  ability Because   cheap Because  available 

Because   needy • 

Hours  of  employment Compared  with  teachers 

Hours  of  work  outside  library  hours 

Other  employment ■_ 

Assistant  or  substitute  available  when  needed By  whom   paid 

Vacation:   Length With  pay 

Library  meetings:    Expenses  paid  to  District , To  State 

Thru  whom  secured:   Library  Commission Otherwise 

Salary Increase    since   employment 

Could  her  equal  be  secured  for  the  same  salary 

Could  she  get  more  elsewhere ■ 


Assistants:  How  many.: -. Apprentices- 


Children's  Librarian: 

Experience Length  of  service- 
Preparation 

General  education 

Library  School  training 

Previous  occupation  or  preparation -• 

Personality • • ; 

Weak  points Strong  points 


Cataloger: 


Experience Length    of   service 

Preparation 

General    education - 

Library  School  training _ 

Previous  occupation  or  preparation 

Personality ■'• ■•- 

Weak  points Strong  points 


Reference  Librarian: 

Experience Length  of  service- 
Preparation _ 

General    education — 

Library   School  training 

Previous  occupation  or  preparation - 

Personality  — - 

Weak  points Strong  points 


Branch  Librarian: 

Experience Length  of  service- 
Preparation — 

General    education. - 

Library  School   training 

Previous  occupation  or  preparation - - 

Personality - 

Weak  points _ Strong  points 


General  Assistants: 

How   many _ 

Experience  Length  of  service- 
Preparation Book  background- 
Competent                    Promising 


Janitor: 


Competent Officious ~ Willing- 

Interested  Employed  for  ability 

Because  cheap .. ._. Because  needy „ « 

Paid  by  library  board .LuL—jL.......... By  librarian - 

Duties:     Fires Walks ,Sweeping Cleaning- 
Dusting  books Miscellaneous 


EFFICIENCY  OF  A  LIBRARY 

Summary 


Measured  by 

Circulation — generally  used  as  basis,  but  not  conclusive.. 

Borrowers — all  classes  and  all  parts  of  town  covered 

Reference    work 


..General.. 


With   schools -Women's    Clubs 

Use  of  reading  room .-. _. _ 

Children's  work : 

Circulation  Borrowers _ School  work Story  hour- 
Use  of  library  as  community  center 

Community  activities „ 1 


Affected  by 

1.  Plant — building  and   equipment 

Suitability 

Attractiveness 

Equipment 

Location 

Condition 

Care 

2.  Organization    and    administration 

Records 

Charging  system 

Hours  of  opening 

Rules  and  regulations 

Red  tape — too  much — too  little 

3.  Book  collection 

Size 

Selection 

Suitability 

Condition 

Arrangement  and  display 

Periodicals  and  newspaper.? 

Pamphlets 

4.  Operators 

Librarian 

Efficiency 

Interest 

Intelligence  and  education 

Standards  and  ideals 

Personality 


Assistants 

Number 

Efficiency 

Interest 

Personality 
Salaries  sufficient  to  secure  and  keep  competent  p| 

Managers — Trustees 

Interest  in,  and  attention   to  library 
Information  on  library  matters 
Conservatism 
Standards  and  ideals 
Attitude  toward  librarian 

Financial   support 
Adequate 
Wisely  expended 

Extension 
Rural 

Branches— stations — direct 
City 

Branches — stations — school  collections 

Publicity 

Sign  on  building 

Use  of  newspapers 

Displays  in  library  and  elsewhere 

Other  use  of  print  » 

Librarian's  standing  in  community 


